Don’t throw away empty tuna cans! Discover 12 clever, practical, and budget-friendly ways to reuse tuna cans around your home, garden, kitchen, and craft space.
Empty tuna cans may look like ordinary kitchen waste, but before tossing them into the recycling bin, take a second look. With a little cleaning and creativity, these small metal containers can be surprisingly useful.
From organizing tiny household items to creating simple planters and DIY decorations, tuna cans can be repurposed in plenty of practical ways.
Of course, safety comes first. Always wash the can thoroughly, remove any sharp edges, and make sure it is completely dry before reusing it.
Here are some clever ideas worth trying.
1. Turn a Tuna Can Into a Mini Planter
One of the easiest ways to reuse a tuna can is to make a tiny planter.
Because tuna cans are shallow, they work particularly well for small plants, succulents, herbs, or seedlings.
How to do it:
- Wash the can thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
- Remove the label and dry the can completely.
- Carefully make a few small drainage holes in the bottom.
- Add a thin layer of suitable potting soil.
- Plant a small succulent, herb, or seedling.
- Place it somewhere with the appropriate amount of sunlight.
You can also decorate the outside with paint, twine, or paper designed for crafts.
2. Make a Simple Desk Organizer
Small items have a habit of disappearing around the house.
Tuna cans can become useful little containers for organizing things such as:
- Paper clips
- Rubber bands
- Push pins
- Beads
- Buttons
- Small craft supplies
- Hair accessories
For a cleaner appearance, cover the outside with decorative paper or fabric.
If you’re using the container around children, make sure there are absolutely no sharp metal edges.
3. Create a DIY Candle Holder
A cleaned tuna can can also be transformed into a simple candle holder for decorative purposes.
You can paint the outside or wrap it with heat-resistant decorative material.
However, never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep the holder on a stable, heat-resistant surface and away from curtains, paper, children, and pets.
For an even safer option, use a battery-operated LED candle instead of a real flame.
4. Use Tuna Cans as Small Storage Containers
Sometimes you don’t need an expensive organizer—you just need something small enough to hold the little things that normally clutter a drawer.
Clean tuna cans can be useful for storing:
- Sewing supplies
- Screws and washers
- Craft materials
- Coins
- Small office supplies
- Jewelry while working on a project
Place several cans together inside a drawer to create inexpensive compartments.
5. Make a DIY Bird Feeder
A shallow metal can may also be repurposed into a simple bird-feeding container.
Before using one outdoors, make sure it has been thoroughly cleaned and that there are no sharp edges.
You can attach it securely to an appropriate location and add birdseed suitable for the birds in your area.
Check the feeder regularly and clean it frequently. Outdoor food containers can become contaminated if they are left dirty or exposed to moisture.
6. Create a Mini Herb Garden
Love cooking with fresh herbs?
Instead of buying several small pots, you can reuse tuna cans for individual herb seedlings.
Try growing small amounts of herbs such as:
- Basil
- Chives
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Oregano
Remember that plants need proper drainage, sunlight, water, and enough growing space. Tuna cans are best viewed as temporary or small containers rather than permanent homes for larger herbs.
7. Make a Simple Craft or Gift Container
With some creativity, an ordinary tuna can can become part of a handmade gift.
Cover the outside with decorative paper, ribbon, or fabric and use it to hold small items such as:
- Homemade treats
- Craft supplies
- Small gifts
- Stationery
- Decorative items
Make sure anything placed inside is protected appropriately and that the container is completely clean.
8. Use Them for Paint or Craft Projects
If you’re doing a small painting project, an empty tuna can can work as a temporary container for paint.
It can be useful for small DIY jobs where you don’t want to dirty a larger container.
Once you’re finished, follow the instructions for disposing of leftover paint rather than washing large amounts of paint down the drain.
9. Make a Simple Wall Decoration
Several tuna cans can be turned into a creative wall display.
Paint them in coordinating colors and arrange them into a pattern. They can become shallow decorative shelves or display pockets for lightweight objects.
You can create a geometric arrangement or combine different colors for a more playful look.
Just make sure anything mounted to the wall is securely attached and appropriate for the weight it will hold.
10. Create a Tiny Sewing Kit
A tuna can is the perfect size for a miniature sewing supply container.
You can keep items such as:
- Needles
- Thread
- Buttons
- Safety pins
- Small scissors
- Measuring tape
A lid or cover can make the container even more useful by keeping everything together.
For extra organization, add a small piece of cardboard inside to separate different types of supplies.
11. Make a DIY Refrigerator Magnet Holder
With some decorative work, a lightweight tuna can can become a small magnetic container.
Attach strong magnets securely to the back and use it to hold lightweight items on a suitable magnetic surface.
This can be useful for organizing small office or craft supplies.
Avoid placing heavy objects inside because the magnet may not safely support them.
12. Recycle It If You Don’t Need It
And sometimes the best reuse idea is simply recycling.
Not every empty can needs to become a craft project. If you don’t have a practical use for it, clean the can and recycle it according to your local recycling guidelines.
Recycling is often preferable to keeping dozens of containers around the house simply because they might be useful someday.
Important Safety Tips Before Reusing Tuna Cans
Before turning an empty tuna can into something useful, keep these precautions in mind.
Remove Sharp Edges
The most important concern is the metal edge.
If the can opener leaves a sharp rim, don’t use it for a project where someone could easily touch or cut themselves.
Wash It Thoroughly
Food residue can attract insects and create unpleasant odors. Wash the can thoroughly with warm water and dish soap.
Dry It Completely
Moisture left inside a metal container can contribute to rust or unpleasant smells.
Be Careful With Heat
If you’re making a candle holder or using the can near heat, make sure the material and setup are appropriate. Never leave an open flame unattended.
Don’t Use It for Food Storage Unless It Is Designed for That Purpose
An empty food can isn’t automatically a good reusable food-storage container. For storing food, use containers specifically designed for repeated food storage.
A Little Creativity Can Reduce Waste
The next time you finish a can of tuna, don’t automatically throw the empty container away.
A small can can become a planter, organizer, craft container, sewing kit, or decorative project with just a little imagination.
You don’t need expensive supplies or complicated tools. Sometimes the most useful DIY projects begin with something that would normally end up in the trash.
And if you don’t have a use for it, that’s okay too—clean it and recycle it responsibly.
The goal isn’t to keep every piece of packaging forever. It’s to look at everyday objects differently and find useful second lives for the ones that genuinely make sense.